Woman's Hour discusses the low number of women directors

On Monday 18th August, BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour discussed the low number of women directors and the possible reasons behind that.

Representing Directors UK was director and Women Directors Working Group member Susanna White (Bleak House, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, Parade's End). Also joining the discussion was director Anna Keel (The Apprentice, Supernanny, Football's Suicide Secret) and factual series producer and Media Parents founder Amy Walker.

Up for discussion were the findings of the Directors UK report from earlier this year, in particular the fact that only 13% of drama episodes in 2011-12 were directed by women, 11% in the 'drama series and serials' subgenre. You can read the full report here and have a look at a summary here.

Also discussed was the fact that the programmes women were allowed to direct often covered domestic and lifestyle topics, and whether or not deep-routed social issues are to blame for women not asserting themselves enough or even going for all the jobs that are out there.

Only 13% of all drama episodes were directed by women in 2011 and 2012; down from 14% in the total sample. Only 11% of all drama series - See more at: http://www.directors.uk.com/about-us/news/whos-calling-the-shots#sthash.C3drr1jf.dpuf Only 13% of all drama episodes were directed by women in 2011 and 2012; down from 14% in the total sample. Only 11% of all drama series - See more at: http://www.directors.uk.com/about-us/news/whos-calling-the-shots#sthash.C3drr1jf.dpuf Only 13% of all drama episodes were directed by women in 2011 and 2012; down from 14% in the total sample. Only 11% of all drama series - See more at: http://www.directors.uk.com/about-us/news/whos-calling-the-shots#sthash.C3drr1jf.dpuf

You can listen again to the show here. Do let us know your thoughts below or go to our Women Directors Campaign page at directors.uk.com/women to give your opinion.

Susanna White © Our Kind of Traitor Ltd. Photo: Jaap Buitendijk.